[Quarterly Mission: Possess three different models of starships above T3 Level (1/3)
Select a support-type starship and achieve a quantity of 5 ships (0/5)]
With the arrival of April, another quarterly mission appeared for Zhao Chen.
He glanced at the mission content; the first condition was easy to achieve.
The main challenge was the second one: building a hundred starships would require a massive amount of funds.
And Zhao Chen right now… seemed quite short on money.
Beep beep beep
A video communication request came through; it was Teacher Qin on the other end.
"Student Zhao Chen, I've discussed with the teachers from both academies and the high-ranking officers of the Imperial Army who rescued us. We plan to depart for the Lantian Star System tomorrow.
The damage to your starship will also be repaired at the starport in the Lantian Star System.
Do you have any issues with that?" Teacher Qin inquired.
Zhao Chen smiled and replied, "I have no problems. Just notify me when it's time to depart."
"Alright, then we'll set the departure time for tomorrow. I really want to thank you for everything this time, Student Zhao Chen. Although before… when we left the ship, we didn't have time to properly express our gratitude.
But I plan to apply to the Academy to hold a victory celebration for you once we return to the North Star Starship Military Academy," Teacher Qin said enthusiastically.
Zhao Chen waved his hands repeatedly. "A victory celebration is unnecessary."
Expecting gratitude from the teachers and students of both academies? More than half of the students probably didn't hate him, and that was already good enough.
During those few days on his starship, every single one of them had spent all the 'pocket money' in their accounts.
After ending the communication with Teacher Qin, Zhao Chen notified Charlotte and Lilith to prepare for departure tomorrow.
The damaged hull of the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser had been partially repaired, but some parts couldn't be fixed in the Water Lily Star System. They would either need to return to the North Star Starship Military Academy or go to the Lantian Star System.
However, in terms of ammunition, it had been fully replenished.
The temporarily irreparable parts did not affect the normal navigation and combat capabilities of the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser.
"The Lantian Star System… I wonder what awaits me there," Zhao Chen chuckled self-deprecatingly.
A grand spectacle was about to unfold, and he was the protagonist in it.
...
Several days later
A starport in the Lantian Star System
This day at the starport was somewhat special. Several berths were cleared, and many Imperial Army interstellar fleets were waiting nearby.
Additionally, in the waiting area closest to those starship berths, quite a few people could be seen standing and waiting.
Finally, several starships appeared in everyone's line of sight.
Immediately, all eyes focused on that blue-and-white stellar battlecruiser—the legendary starship that, according to tales, had single-handedly charged into the Zerg-occupied region of the Water Lily Star System and rescued the teachers and students of both academies.
On this legendary starship, many traces of battle could still be seen.
From the accounts of the teachers and students of both academies, they had learned the details of that battle.
A single starship had destroyed one T3 Nest Starship, severely damaged another T3 Nest Starship, and ultimately managed to escape from the Swarm Fleet.
It was nothing short of a legendary tale!
This has made Zhao Chen a legendary figure.
Bridge of the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser
Zhao Chen sat in the captain's chair, with Deputy Captain Charlotte and Secretary Officer Lilith working on either side of him.
His younger sister Zhao Wan'er and the eldest daughter of the Chu Family, Chu Xuan, were also on the bridge.
Senior Su Lan and others were traveling on the Imperial Army starship alongside them, while the teachers and students from the two academies would certainly not board Zhao Chen's starship—they would rather die than do so!
"Brother, look! So many people! There's even an honor guard! It looks like they're planning to treat you like a hero!" Before the starship had even finished docking, Zhao Wan'er spotted the crowd gathered at the berth.
A hero?
Zhao Chen smiled self-deprecatingly. Those people probably saw him as nothing more than fish on their chopping block.
And a very tempting piece of fish at that.
"This time, Zhao Chen, you've really made a big splash," Chu Xuan said happily beside him.
Zhao Chen smiled without replying.
Soon, the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser completed its docking.
At that moment, a video call request popped up.
On the other end was a middle-aged man: "Student Zhao Chen, I am the Governor of the Azure Star Domain. Regarding the Zerg Disaster that occurred in our Azure Star Domain, you risked your life to rescue the teachers and students from the two academies.
I deeply respect your actions. I have prepared a victory celebration here and hope you will not refuse, Student Zhao Chen."
Even the Governor of the Azure Star Domain had appeared. It seemed his appeal was truly significant.
As for whether or not to disembark, it was no longer up to Zhao Chen to decide.
"Your Excellency, you flatter me. This is what we, as citizens of the Stellar Glory Empire, should do. There's really no need for any victory celebration," Zhao Chen said with a smile.
"What are you saying? You've accomplished such a great deed. Not only is a small victory celebration appropriate, but even a commendation would not be excessive!
Moreover, many family members of the teachers and students from the two academies are here to express their gratitude to you!" the Governor of the Azure Star Domain said enthusiastically.
"In that case, I humbly accept your kind invitation," Zhao Chen agreed to disembark.
"Then we await the arrival of the young hero here," the Governor of the Azure Star Domain said with a smile before ending the communication.
"It seems the commotion you've stirred up this time is quite significant, young hero," Chu Xuan teased Zhao Chen.
But she soon noticed that Zhao Chen's expression was very serious.
"Wan'er, you stay on the starship. You are not to leave the ship without my permission!" Zhao Chen said sternly, looking at Zhao Wan'er.
"Why... I want to go down and see too..." Zhao Wan'er didn't understand his arrangement.
"Listen to me!" Zhao Chen said in an unquestionable tone.
Zhao Wan'er looked at Zhao Chen. It was the first time she had seen such a serious expression on her brother's face. She finally nodded, "Alright then... I'll stay on the starship."
"Miss Chu, I'd like to trouble you with something as well. You also need to stay on the starship.
During the time I am off the ship, if anyone attempts to board the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser for any reason, I hope you can use your status as the eldest daughter of the Chu Family to prevent it," Zhao Chen said, turning to Chu Xuan.
Although Chu Xuan didn't understand why Zhao Chen was making such arrangements at this moment, she nodded seriously, "I owe you from our time in the Arctic Fox System. Don't worry, I will do as you ask."
Zhao Chen glanced at Charlotte and Lilith beside him without saying a word.
He turned and walked out of the bridge.
However, Charlotte and Lilith's eyes were filled with concern. Even before setting sail, Commander Zhao Chen had spoken with them.
He had given them an order.
After entering the starport, the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser must maintain First-Level Combat Readiness Status! All starship crew are prohibited from leaving their battle stations!
Once they receive his command, they must execute it immediately!
This gave them a feeling that something major was about to happen.
In the departure passage of the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser, he saw crowds of people ahead and also noticed the teachers and students from the two academies disembarking from the Imperial Army starships nearby.
Many among them stared at Zhao Chen with hawk-like gazes, as if he were a treasure.
Zhao Chen smiled, waved at those people, and walked forward slowly.
But in his heart, he had made a decision.
If you really force me, I might as well take the Fierce Dragon Fleet and leave the Stellar Glory Empire!
Although abandoning the Fierce Dragon Star System was somewhat regrettable, one day he would return, and by then... he would reclaim everything that was his, with interest!
That was the worst-case scenario, but I, Zhao Chen, fear nothing!